Integrating Cell Phone Coverage Maps with GPS for Route Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems fail to anticipate and mitigate dropped cell phone calls, especially in areas with sparse coverage, which can lead to communication disruptions and increased security risks for drivers carrying sensitive loads, and result in missed delivery instructions and additional fuel costs.
Innovation Solution
Integrating cell phone coverage maps with GPS systems to suggest alternative routes and generate warnings for low or nonexistent coverage areas, allowing users to take preventive actions and maintain communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cell phone systems are used without coverage mapping integration, then device complexity remains low, but reliability of communication deteriorates in areas with sparse coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges cell phone coverage map data with GPS navigation data to create an integrated system that provides both location information and coverage predictions. This combination allows the system to anticipate coverage issues and provide alternative routes, thereby improving communication reliability without requiring completely new infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses coverage maps as an intermediary layer between the user's current location (via GPS) and the cell phone network status. This intermediary data structure enables prediction of coverage issues without direct real-time network monitoring, reducing system complexity while improving reliability.
2Reliability
If alternative route suggestions are provided based on coverage maps, then communication reliability improves, but navigation system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading cell phone coverage maps and processing them into actionable route recommendations before the user encounters coverage issues. By analyzing coverage data in advance and pre-calculating alternative routes, the system can provide timely warnings and suggestions without requiring complex real-time calculations during critical moments.
3Reliability
If real-time coverage monitoring is implemented, then communication reliability improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses preliminary action by pre-processing coverage maps and storing them for later retrieval. Instead of continuously monitoring and processing coverage data in real-time (which would consume high energy), the system retrieves pre-processed coverage information when needed, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable communication.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system in accordance with the present invention integrates information from cell phone coverage maps with a user's GPS system, thereby making possible the suggestion of alternative routes based on coverage strength and chances of dropping calls in different geographical areas. The method and system in accordance with the present invention can also generate warnings if a user is approaching an area of low or nonexistent coverage, so that the user can take action, such as utilizing a different route or telling the party on the line that the connection may be dropped or disconnected.